A closer look at kayaking and even canoeing will reveal the most cultures in ancient civilization had something to do with kayaking and canoeing. Research proves that paddling was done almost about 8,000 years back. There is even belief that this owes its inception to the creation of the human race.

In the olden days, canoes were dug out of the trunk of trees. As to kayaks, they were made from an assortment of whale bones or wood combined with animal skin. In most cases, fats from animals were used to keep water off the paddles.

Most of the early users of these engaged themselves only in hunting and fishing activities. In some cases, they were used for traditional and cultural activities such as farming or performing funerals rites.

How Was Leisure Incorporated Into Kayaking?

As far back as the end of the first half of the 19th Century, these traditional uses of kayaks and canoe began making way for leisure activities. Canoes were designed not only for farming or transportation, but were made for purposes of leisure. This later gave birth to canoe festivals.

It was on one of such occasions that a kayak was designed and this was done by John MacGregor. He used this to sail the waters of the Middle East and Europe and this was done with two-edged paddles. He named this the 'Rob Roy'. This later aroused a global awareness and his exploits turned out to be global news. This invention of his led others to follow suit. In so doing, they made kayaking common and popular.

What about the Folding Kayak?

During the start of the 20th century, the folding kayak came to be popular. Made of wood and perfected with rubber, they were very comfortable to be used. People began considering this type of kayaks before any other. They were mostly designed in Austria and Germany. In 1905, they were manufactured in great numbers. This was especially prior to the purchase of a particular design from a student by a business.

A little later and precisely during the 1930s, they were commonly used for leisure and mostly in fast-moving waters. It is even known that these were employed during World War II to undertake on underground sea assignments. From then, modernity crept in and today, the folding kayak has been modified with lots of materials with ease of use and comfort making them first choices.

What Contributed To The Designing Of Modern Kayaks?

An additional aspect that encouraged the designing of modern kayaks was the British Arctic Air Route mission to Greenland in the 1930s. The Inuit people of Greenland were great kayakers. Their devices were closely surveyed by these British explorers. A lot of this was done thanks to Henry George, a part of the mission. This led to the manufacture of smaller models of kayaks which were very convenient to be used in choppy waters.

Although kayaking for leisure came to be just the same time as it did in Europe, there were some differences in what was made. What was obtained in the North followed the patterns or models of what was customary in Alaska and most of the Northwest regions. From then onwards and specifically in 1972, modern materials such as aluminum and wood were used to produce kayaks.

Remodeling and Modernization to Meet Particular Demands

In 1972, multiple kayaks were produced by three corporations. It was at this same time that the Slalom kayaking was officially accepted as an Olympic item. From this period, the making of kayaks has been modernized and remodeled to meet particular demands. Every kayaker is able today to decide on what to use that will call for ease of use and safety. Keep in mind that no matter your intended purpose for kayaking, there is an assortment of equipments and guidelines at your disposal, all meant to give you safety and comfort.

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